The Member of Parliament for Mbeya Rural, Shida Patali, has urged communities to use the 62nd anniversary of the Zanzibar Revolution as a platform to help children understand Tanzania’s history through practical civic actions, including tree planting that will stand as a lasting legacy for future generations.
Patali made the remarks on January 12, 2026, during Revolution Day commemorations, as Mbeya Rural District Council planted 1,000 trees at the Mbalizi Township Authority Health Centre.
The activity forms part of a broader district initiative to plant 10,000 trees in recognition of the historic day.
Speaking at the event, Patali said the district deliberately chose environmental conservation as a meaningful way to commemorate the Zanzibar Revolution, linking national history with responsibility to future generations.
“Today, as we join more than 60 million Tanzanians in marking 62 years of the Zanzibar Revolution, Mbeya Rural has opted to commemorate the day through action. By planting trees, we are protecting the environment while creating living memories that our children will inherit,” she said.
She noted that the Zanzibar Revolution remains a defining moment in the country’s history, symbolising the struggle for freedom and unity, and offering an opportunity to honour national heroes including the late Abeid Amani Karume and the late Julius Kambarage Nyerere.
According to Patali, involving children in such activities helps them internalise the values and history of the nation beyond classroom learning.
“When children take part in tree planting, they become part of the story. Years from now, they will remember that they contributed to commemorating the Zanzibar Revolution in a practical and patriotic way,” she said.
Mbeya District Council Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Officer, Gerald Shayo, said the trees planted across the district were supplied through an Environmental Restoration Project coordinated by the Vice President’s Office.
He urged residents to abandon indiscriminate tree cutting and instead support reforestation efforts.
“The project aims to restore degraded ecosystems. We encourage citizens to plant trees in deforested areas, open spaces and around water sources to ensure long-term environmental sustainability,” Shayo said.
For his part, Mbeya District Council Deputy Chairperson Daniel Masika said tree planting provides a permanent memorial to leaders who led the struggle to liberate Zanzibar from colonial rule.
He added that the commemoration serves as a reminder of the patriotism of Tanzania’s founding leaders and the responsibility of every generation to safeguard that legacy.
Masika also noted that the council continues to work with teachers in primary and secondary schools to instil environmental awareness among students and promote tree planting as part of school culture.